Red Sox GM Ben Cherington said David Ortiz, who missed the last three months of the season last year with an Achilles injury, is expected to be ready by opening day. But should Red Sox fans be concerned with the 37-year-old Ortiz’ health?

“I’d be pretty concerned about it. It’s a very large man with a foot injury; those tend to take time as we saw last year,” said Heyman. “They’re giving what seems like a loose deadline of early April, and we’re still in early February. I was a little surprised to hear it’s even stretching to April.”

“He should be ready by opening day… but I would be concerned about it,” Heyman added.

The Red Sox signed backup catcher David Ross in the offseason, but were unable to trade Jarrod Saltalamacchia to clear way for Ryan Lavarnway to take over behind the plate. So how will the Red Sox’ catching situation play out?

“It looks like Lavarnway is the odd man out at this point, but Salty didn’t have that great of a year,” said Heyman. “I think they were unable to get anything for him in the trade market, so he’s the starter. And that hurts Lavarnway.”

Reports out of Fort Myers say John Lackey is in great shape as he makes his return from Tommy John surgery. What can the Red Sox expect out of Lackey in 2013?

“Guys have come back from Tommy John and been themselves. If that means being the guy with the Angels, that’s great. If it’s the guy in Boston, that’s not so great,” said Heyman. “I think it’s pretty much up in the air what Lackey is going to be.”

Rusney Castillo is not getting the start today in exhibition game no. 1 against Northeastern. Is he the odd-man out in the Red Sox outfield? Or is Shane Victorino? Or should we not take anything that happens in spring training seriously? Zolak & Bertrand discuss.